Hibernian midfielder Gary Deegan is poised to return to the squad for Saturday's Scottish Premier League fixture at home to Motherwell.

22. Gary Deegan

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Deegan has been out since sustaining a fractured jaw in early October following the win over Dundee. Captain James McPake is also in contention following a back injury which has kept the defender out since November 3.

Hibs boss Pat Fenlon said: "If there's hopefully no reaction to the training sessions this week then both of them will come back into the squad.

"They're big players for us in terms of their character and their ability, but also on the pitch in relation to leadership."

Following last weekend's 3-0 loss at Inverness, Fenlon could opt to bring back McPake and Deegan from the start. Defender Tim Clancy is also nearing a return following a groin injury.

"Tim is maybe a week, 10 days away," Fenlon added. It's important to have them all fit coming into this period when we have a lot of games coming up."

Fenlon was active in his two previous transfer windows as Hibs boss, but January moves depend on deals for on-loan trio Leigh Griffiths, Ryan McGivern and Jorge Claros, whose parent clubs are Wolves, Manchester City and Motagua in Honduras, respectively.

Fenlon added: "There is one or two areas that we want to strengthen. We'll probably decide based on what happens with the other players that are here on loan.

"With the players on loan, we've got to try to get that sorted out first, either way, whether they're staying or going. We've got plans in place for either."